No regrets on getting into politics says Monti

13/02/2013

But 'depends on result' outgoing PM tells ANSA

Rome, February 13 - Outgoing Premier Mario Monti
said Wednesday he had no regrets about getting into politics
when he stepped in at the height of the euro crisis 15 months
ago.
Speaking at an ANSA forum, Monti said he had been happy to
accept the invitation from President Giorgio Napolitano to
become a life Senator and take over from Silvio Berlusconi with
Italy on the brink of a Greece-style crisis.
"It was his choice, not mine," said the former European
commissioner.
As for his decision to run for premier at the head of a
reformist coalition, criticised by Berlusconi, Monti said "up
till now, I haven't regretted it (but) everything depends on the
result".
But he added that the move, which he has repeatedly said
was against his nature, came at the cost of "great personal
sacrifice".
Monti is polling fourth for the February 24-25 vote but
there has been some speculation he might find an arrangement
with the poll-leading centre-left Democratic Party to ensure a
ruling majority.
But the caretaker premier again rejected this prospect
Wednesday, telling ANSA the PD's leftist ally Nichi Vendola was
incompatible with his agenda because of Vendola's opposition to
hire-and-fire labour reforms and support for easing European
Union budget limits.